Nissan revealed new particulars in regards to the upcoming 2026 Leaf, which can return as a crossover SUV with as much as 303 miles of estimated vary, twin cost ports, and Google’s software program built-in. The reborn Leaf will attain dealerships within the US beginning this fall at a yet-to-be-announced value.
The first-gen Leaf was considerably charming — in a ugly type of approach. The second gen was not significantly better, with bland styling and an outdated CHAdeMO charging port that virtually screamed “out of date.”
The 2026 Leaf is a major enchancment over earlier generations in nearly each approach. Gone is the frumpy hatchback, changed by a glossy, trendy crossover with improved aerodynamics (0.26 drag coefficient, down from 0.29) and an estimated vary between 259 and 303 miles (up dramatically over the present most vary of 212 miles).
The new Leaf can even set itself aside with twin cost ports, one a regular CCS-compatible port and an extra NACS port that enables entry to Tesla’s intensive Supercharger community. This is bound to make refueling the 2026 Leaf a greater expertise than it was with the outdated CHAdeMO-equipped fashions.
“We have fully reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf,” mentioned Tase Nobutaka, program design director at Nissan, within the press launch. “We made it easy and clear, but with a extra energetic feeling. We ensured the all-new Leaf has a dynamic form, testing it time and time once more to achieve our bold aerodynamic targets.”
“We have fully reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf.”
It’s an enormous step up from the present Leaf, which was final refreshed in 2023. Despite its standing as a pioneering EV with its zero-emission powertrain and inexpensive beginning value, the Leaf was teetering on the point of discontinuation as Nissan struggled with low gross sales and declining relevancy. Now it has been resurrected and revived with a set of specs extra appropriate with the present period than the one from which it emerged.
Car consumers, particularly Americans, have soured on hatchbacks, preferring something resembling an SUV. Even the frumpy Toyota Prius has been reimagined as a sleeker, sportier sedan — so it solely is sensible that the Leaf would get its personal glow-up.
The 2026 Leaf sports activities a brand new 75kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a 214-horsepower electrical motor. It can quick cost at as much as 150kWh, and its twin ports will present a stage of flexibility that doesn’t require an adapter — though quick charging is just allowed via one. On the motive force aspect above the fender is a J1772 cost port that’s appropriate with most house and public Level 2 chargers. On the passenger aspect, a NACS port will enable quick charging at any Tesla Supercharger.
The new Leaf can even be Nissan’s first EV with Plug and Charge, which permits drivers to simply plug in and begin charging with out the necessity to submit cost data or join a third-party app. Nissan estimates that quick charging from 10 to 80 % will take 35 minutes.
The Leaf S would be the base trim, whereas the S Plus and SV Plus trims provide upgrades like an even bigger battery and 18-inch alloy wheels. Nissan can also be including a fourth trim stage, Platinum Plus, which options 19-inch wheels and a 10-speaker Bose system with built-in entrance headrest audio system. The base mannequin S trim, which received’t be out there till spring 2026, will include a smaller 52kWh battery and 174-hp motor, and can seemingly get an estimated 255 miles of vary.
And enhanced battery thermal administration system and a warmth pump can even make the Leaf the best EV to cost in winter. The Leaf’s battery pack is sealed by a resin cowl, serving to hold out chilly air, snow, and slush throughout winter driving. The Leaf can even seize “wasted warmth” from the drive motor and the onboard charger, and repurposes that warmth to assist heat the battery to its ultimate temperature vary. An onboard warmth pump, which comes commonplace on all trims, will effectively heat the cabin throughout colder months. And a battery heater may also help convey the pack to the optimum temperature for quick charging when the mercury drops. Dual charging ports will present a stage of flexibility that doesn’t require an adapter.
Dual charging ports will present a stage of flexibility that doesn’t require an adapter
Nissan says its engineers examined the brand new Leaf over 1,500 days in each the deserts of the Southwest and Fairbanks, Alaska, to gauge how effectively charging holds up in excessive warmth and excessive chilly.
The design of the brand new Leaf is so much cleaner and extra streamlined, with retractable door handles (a primary for Nissan), hid rear handles within the C-pillar, an illuminated emblem within the entrance grille, stacked rectangular lighting, and an optionally available full-width gentle bar. The 2026 Leaf is constructed on the modular CMF-EV platform that additionally undergirds the Ariya EV. This platform options Nissan’s “3-in-1” powertrain setup that mixes the motor, inverter, and reducer right into a single unit.
With Google built-in, the Nissan Leaf seamlessly integrates apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play right into a car’s infotainment system. Google Maps, for instance, will present the car’s vary and battery capability, and on sure routes it’ll counsel charging stops when the vacation spot is past the battery’s capability.
S and S Plus trims could have twin 12.3-inch screens that join wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On SV Plus and Platinum Plus trims, these screens broaden to 14.3 inches.
All trims characteristic ProPILOT Assist steering help, lane centering, and adaptive cruise management. The new Leaf additionally comes with a Nissan-first security know-how referred to as Secondary Collision Mitigation Braking, which routinely applies the brakes after the airbag is deployed to assist cut back the severity of a crash or forestall a secondary crash into one other car.
Nissan is promising extra particulars on the brand new Leaf, together with value, earlier than the tip of the 12 months. The firm additionally not too long ago introduced that new ICE and plug-in hybrid variations of its Rogue SUV, and refreshed fashions of its midsized Pathfinder SUV and Sentra sedan, can be coming quickly.
Ideally, the brand new Leaf will present a much-needed increase to Nissan. The automaker has been going via a very tough patch, with declining gross sales and the collapse of a merger cope with Honda. It undoubtedly wants some contemporary merchandise to assist increase its total picture. And whereas the Leaf definitely isn’t contemporary, its new look is bound to show just a few heads.
